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2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

UPDATE June 7, 2009 - Well, the party's over, everybody has returned home. I know that I had a real wonderful time in Winterset, getting to meet several of our members face to face for the first time (kilo6 - Murray, BILL of PA - Bill, Wayne - Wayne Davis of the Birthplace Society, downes - Brian Downes of the Birthplace Society, and new member Coach3 - I apologize that I don't remember his name). It was fun to get together with Jeff (member John Wayne Impersonator) again, having met him at the Dean Smith Celebrity Rodeo a few years ago. I enjoyed all the activities, the beautiful area of Madison County and being with so many John Wayne fans at one time. In addition to posting pictures on Flickr, I have also posted some in an album here on the JWMB (there are only a few duplicates between the two). I'm hoping to share a few stories in the next few days.

Update on May 13, 2009, from Wayne Davis of the John Wayne Birthplace ~

Wayne wrote:

And the news just keeps on coming! Now at the FREE 5pm indoor showing of True Grit on Saturday, May 30th, join legendary Paramount producer and long-time John Wayne friend A. C. Lyles and Duke’s personal costumer Luster Bayless for an animated discussion about the making of True Grit.

Update on May 11, 2009, From Wayne Davis of the John Wayne Birthplace ~

Wayne wrote:

There's been some NEW stuff added for the John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset, Iowa on May 29th & 30th.

FREE big-screen showings of "True Grit" have been added on Saturday, May 30th at 11am and 5pm. These two will be shown indoors in the new Jackson Community Building at the Madison County Fairgrounds. Special Edition DVDs of the film will be available at the showings.

New for the special VIP Event and Dinner on Friday is an auction of special gift sets and John Wayne-related collectibles, including the following:

Hand-signed autographed movie photos from some of Duke’s famous leading ladies, including:

[INDENT]

Maureen O’Hara

Angie Dickinson

Constance Towers

Linda Cristal

Ann-Margret

Barbara Streisand (with Best Actor Oscar)

[/INDENT]and more. This is in addition to everything else that's going on (Lynn Anderson and more for the VIP event and Dinner; FREE Western marketplace, music, Dean Martin's daughter Deana, and a free outdoor high-def big screen showing of "Rio Bravo"). It's going to be a fun weekend not to be missed. Full details can be found at johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday

Update on April 16, 2009, from Wayne Davis, of the John Wayne Birthplace ~

Wayne wrote:

We can now confirm that Dean Martin's daughter Deana will be at the 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration on Saturday, May 30th. Rio Bravo, she says, was her father's favorite film. Deana will be at the Madison County Fairgrounds and will be available to sign autographs and greet visitors.

Deana is an internationally-known singer, actress and author, with a top-ten album “Memories Are Made of This” and a best-selling book “Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughter’s Eyes” soon to be a major motion picture directed by Joe Montegna with screenplay written by Bonnie Hunt.

For complete details on the 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration event, go to johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday Tickets for the Friday evening VIP fundraiser are still available.

--Wayne Davis
The Birthplace of John Wayne

February 14, 2009~
I received the following information from Brian Downes, the Executive Director of the John Wayne Birthplace in Winterset, Iowa.

Lots happening here at the Birthplace. We've just announced our 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration which we are calling "Duke & the Ladies." We'll salute the 50th anniversary of Rio Bravo with big screen showings both indoors and out. Our exclusive $100 fund raiser will also include dinner and an all-girl musical line-up featuring country & western music legend Lynn Anderson. While supplies last, we'll also distribute deluxe DVDs of Rio Bravo along with some other surprises.

The event for the general public will also include movies, Old West Mercantile, food and additional musical entertainment by "the Ladies." For details, go to johnwaynebirthplace.org.

This past Saturday [January 31] Grand Ole Opry star and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame Bill Anderson stopped by with his entire band and enjoyed a leisurely visit. We are hoping Glen Campbell will stop by in March.

JW_2009_bday.jpg
It sure would be great if some of our members who live close enough could attend this event!

Re: 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

There's been some NEW stuff added for the John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset, Iowa on May 29th & 30th.

FREE big-screen showings of "True Grit" have been added on Saturday, May 30th at 11am and 5pm. These two will be shown indoors in the new Jackson Community Building at the Madison County Fairgrounds. Special Edition DVDs of the film will be available at the showings.

New for the special VIP Event and Dinner on Friday is an auction of special gift sets and John Wayne-related collectibles, including the following:

Hand-signed autographed movie photos from some of Duke’s famous leading ladies, including:

[INDENT]

Maureen O’Hara

Angie Dickinson

Constance Towers

Linda Cristal

Ann-Margret

Barbara Streisand (with Best Actor Oscar)

[/INDENT]and more. This is in addition to everything else that's going on (Lynn Anderson and more for the VIP event and Dinner; FREE Western marketplace, music, Dean Martin's daughter Deana, and a free outdoor high-def big screen showing of "Rio Bravo"). It's going to be a fun weekend not to be missed. Full details can be found at johnwaynebirthplace.org/birthday

Re: 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

And the news just keeps on coming! Now at the FREE 5pm indoor showing of True Grit on Saturday, May 30th, join legendary Paramount producer and long-time John Wayne friend A. C. Lyles and Duke’s personal costumer Luster Bayless for an animated discussion about the making of True Grit.

Re: 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

Jeffrey Sutherland (a new-ish member here, who I met at the Dean Smith Celebrity Rodeo four years ago) and I will be flying to Des Moines the morning of May 29th, and will meet up with Murray (kilo6) and his cousin to attend the VIP dinner that evening!

Reading all of Wayne's updates has me looking forward even more to being there!!!

Mrs. C has too many work, school, and kid responsibilities to be able to attend, but is sending me with her blessing.

Re: 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

We're headin' out the door so the Mrs. can take me to the airport, with my final destination being Des Moines, Iowa, a mere 40 minute drive to Winterset, Iowa, where I will be dining tonight with Murray (kilo6), Jeff Sutherland, and Murray's cousin. I expect to hook up with Bill of PA while I'm there, and if any other members make it there, send my wife a PM with a cell number, and she'll get it to me. I'd love to connect with any of our members who might be there!

Looking forward to a GREAT weekend with a bunch of Duke fans!! I'll report back next week (I'm returning home Monday night), and I'll keep the Mrs. posted as well.

Re: 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

We're headin' out the door so the Mrs. can take me to the airport, with my final destination being Des Moines, Iowa, a mere 40 minute drive to Winterset, Iowa, where I will be dining tonight with Murray (kilo6), Jeff Sutherland, and Murray's cousin. I expect to hook up with Bill of PA while I'm there, and if any other members make it there, send my wife a PM with a cell number, and she'll get it to me. I'd love to connect with any of our members who might be there!

Looking forward to a GREAT weekend with a bunch of Duke fans!! I'll report back next week (I'm returning home Monday night), and I'll keep the Mrs. posted as well.

Chester

Have a fun, safe trip Chester.....Check out the bridges if Madison county while you are there as well. Take lots of pictures!!!

Re: 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

Message board members kilo6, Jeff Sutherland, Bill of PA, Joe Zuke and Chester all attended the VIP dinner tonight, as well as the auction that followed.

One of the highlights of the auction was the sale of 3 photos of John Wayne with Maureen O'Hara, which had been recently signed by Ms. O'Hara for the auction, which sold for between $4000 and $6000. Another photo, of Duke and Barbara Striesand when she presented him with his Academy Award, and signed by Ms. Striesand, sold for $3000.

A nice variety of other things sold at auction as well.

Lynn Anderson was present to entertain with a nice selection of songs.

We had some business cards made up and the guys are handing out them out; they look like this -

Re: 2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

Sounds like this would have been the year to be there. I am working tonight so I guess that it wouldn't have worked out anyways. Glad they are having a good time. I have been there twice and the last time was the 100th celebration.